Sports Media Watch podcast: Recent Episodes
Jon Lewis
Welcome to the podcast home of Jon Lewis' SportsMediaWatch.com website. Get all the latest news and insight on everything from ESPN, to the over the air networks like: NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC. Critiquing of the shows, the personalities and production of it all is found right here.
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On a new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis is joined by co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman for a discussion of the new MLB media rights deals and what they mean for the networks involved -- and the league. Is MLB still devaluing its rights? Plus, what is NBC's future with the Big Ten given its reported desire to "sublicense" next year's Big Ten title game? And thoughts on the bidders for Warner Bros. Discovery, the NBA's early season ratings success, and CW's public criticism of Nielsen's "Big Data + Panel" methodology.
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NBC Sports and Prime Video NBA play-by-play voice Michael Grady is the latest guest on the Sports Media Watch Podcast, joining Jon Lewis, co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman for a discussion about his dual roles on the NBA's two new broadcast partners; his rise from PA announcer to the Pacers to play-by-play for the Nets and Timberwolves; and more, including his stylistic influences.
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On the latest Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis is joined by co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman for a discussion about the Disney-YouTube TV blackout and what it means for ESPN. If the blackout goes on long enough, will ESPN run the risk of fans getting used to living without it?
Plus, a recap of the bigger-than-expected numbers for the Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series.
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Rising play-by-play voice Adam Amin is the latest guest on the Sports Media Watch Podcast. The Chicago Bulls and Fox Sports broadcaster joins Jon Lewis, co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman for a discussion about the nuts and bolts of play-by-play, including his influences, his approach to big games, and how he adjusts to different partners.
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On the latest Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis is joined by co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman for a discussion about Stephen A. Smith's latest comments about the NBA gambling investigation and whether the ESPN host actually believes what he says. Plus, reviewing the debut of the NBA on NBC and the ESPN era of "Inside the NBA"; viewership predictions for the World Series; and a preview of an upcoming interview with Fox Sports voice Adam Amin.
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On the latest Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis, co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman look ahead toward next week's return of the NBA on NBC and what to expect -- and why the version of "Roundball Rock" you've been hearing is not the best one. Plus, a look at MLB Postseason ratings and a detailed discussion about the announcers, including Adam Amin, Joe Davis and John Smoltz.
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NBC Sports president Rick Cordella discusses a wide range of topics -- including the relaunch of NBCSN, the return of the NBA on NBC, the looming NBC Major League Baseball rights deal, the NFL's plan for early media rights negotiations, and much more -- in a special appearance on the Sports Media Watch Podcast. Cordella joins Jon Lewis, co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman for an in-depth conversation covering some of the biggest recent stories in the sports media business.
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In a sneak preview of a full conversation, NBC president Rick Cordella addressed the company's future with the league ahead of a potential early renegotiation. Specifically, he said that NBC opening up its rights deal ahead of schedule would not impact the network's scheduled Super Bowl broadcast in 2030.
The full Rick Cordella interview with Jon Lewis, co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman will be published Monday.
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Versatile play-by-play voice Kenny Albert is the latest special guest on the Sports Media Watch Podcast. The FOX NFL and TNT NHL broadcaster joins Jon Lewis, co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman for an in-depth conversation about his busy schedule, new role as the TV voice of the Rangers, his journey to becoming the longest-tenured FOX NFL voice, and much more.
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Veteran play-by-play voice Ian Eagle is the latest special guest on the Sports Media Watch Podcast. The CBS, Brooklyn Nets and Amazon Prime Video voice joins Jon Lewis, co-host Armand Broady and producer Derek Futterman for a detailed discussion about his journey from producing Mike Tirico's radio show in college to becoming one of the preeminent voices in the industry. Among the topics discussed are how his new Amazon role will impact his longtime job with the Nets, his new partnership with J.J. Watt, and much more.
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On the latest Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by Derek Futterman to discuss Netflix reportedly acquiring MLB Opening Night and the NFL's push to open up its media rights deals. Then, ESPN "Get Up" host Mike Greenberg joins the pod to discuss his new book and more.
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Famed play-by-play voice Kevin Harlan of CBS Sports, Westwood One Radio and Amazon Prime Video is the guest on the latest Sports Media Watch Podcast. In a discussion with Jon Lewis, Armand Broady and Derek Futterman, Harlan discusses his new Amazon role and why you'll be hearing less of him on NBA games this season; the craft of radio broadcasting and how it differs from TV; why he turned down an opportunity to join the Michael Jordan Bulls in 1991; and much more.
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CBS Sports anchor James Brown is the guest on a special new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast. The host of "The NFL Today" joins Jon Lewis, Armand Broady and Derek Futterman for a discussion that covers his broadcasting career and the wide range of roles he has held throughout; the lessons he took from being cut by the Atlanta Hawks; what nearly caused him to quit broadcasting; the 50th anniversary of "The NFL Today" and much more.
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On the latest Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by Derek Futterman for a discussion of Paramount's potential bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, NFL ratings and all the related Nielsen caveats, and a conversation with veteran Fox Sports play-by-play voice Chris Myers.
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On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by Derek Futterman for a discussion of the massive backlash to the news that NFL RedZone will now include ads; the NFL's YouTube debut; the impact of "Big Data" on ratings reporting; Caitlin Clark's injury-wracked season; and Pablo Torre's latest scoop.
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On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by Derek Futterman for a discussion about Lee Corso's farewell and the future of College Gameday; Doris Burke's demotion from ESPN's lead NBA team; Sling's $5 day pass vs. ESPN unlimited; and whether the new MLB media rights deal is a bigger win for ESPN or MLB.
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On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by 35-year ESPN voice Mark Jones for a conversation about his career journey, unique style, how he deals with criticism and much more.
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On a special edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by ESPN NBA and WNBA producer Paul Ervin for an in-depth discussion of issues and challenges in live sports TV production -- what the critics miss, how to prepare for the unexpected and the various balancing acts required of the role. He also discusses the impact of stars like Caitlin Clark missing games, the growth of the WNBA, and why he believes Hubie Brown was "the best analyst in all of sports."
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On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady go in-depth on ESPN's massive deal to acquire NFL Network in exchange for the league taking an equity stake in the network. What it means for the network and its journalistic efforts, what might change for NFL Network employees, and much more. Plus: thoughts on other aspects of ESPN's milestone week, including its direct-to-subscriber product and its hire of a social media influencer.
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On a special edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by TelevisaUnivision president of global sports Olek Loewenstein to discuss issues in Spanish-language sports TV -- including whether networks like Univision get enough attention in the sports media niche, the state of soccer ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and much more.
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On a summer edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady go into depth on some of the big deals being announced or discussed in recent weeks: ESPN and the NFL potentially acquiring stakes in each other, the Paramount-Skydance merger, media rights negotiations in MLB and F1, Barstool's licensing agreement with Fox and more.
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On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady offer their final thoughts on the Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals ratings and ESPN's NBA studio coverage, plus recap the first year of NASCAR on Prime Video.
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On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss how Game 7 of the NBA Finals may fare in the ratings, plus a recap of the numbers for the Stanley Cup Final and U.S. Open golf.
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On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady go in-depth on the low NBA Finals ratings, ESPN's NBA coverage and the future of TNT Sports in the wake of Warner Bros. Discovery's spinoff announcement.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady break down the ratings for Game 1 of the Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals and offer some constructive criticism and analysis of ESPN's lead NBA analyst duo of Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson. Plus, thoughts on why the NBA Finals doesn't feel 'big' anymore.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the ratings for NASCAR's debut race on Prime Video, how Oklahoma City's dominance may affect the NBA's ratings situation, and the end of the NBA on TNT.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss warning signs ahead for the NBA Playoffs as Oklahoma City moves closer to the NBA Finals; YouTube's future as an NFL rights holder; and the state of SportsCenter following the end of its Los Angeles edition.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady break down the NFL schedule and what it says about the league's approach to the ratings, and to the competition. Plus: thoughts on the latest NBA nostalgia play by NBC, the hiring of Michael Jordan.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the recent news surrounding the NBA on NBC reboot, including the decision to use an AI-generated version of voiceover artist Jim Fagan, the risks of going to far with nostalgia, and how much the fond memories of NBC can be attributed to the NBA's subpar TV coverage from ESPN/ABC. Plus, why NBC should go with Ahmed Fareed on its NBA studio team, and will Carmelo Anthony make a successful transition from podcasting to broadcasting?
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the looming end of NBA playoff coverage on local TV, what the future holds for the league's NBA TV channel, Mel Kiper's NFL Draft performance, the Bill Belichick situation and more.
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On a special edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis talks with Kiswe co-founder Wim Sweldens about the streaming company's sports ambitions, technological innovations in the near and long term, and the trend toward hyper-personalized sports offerings -- including potentially AI-generated play-by-play.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the latest developments in the Shannon Sharpe situation and the implications of his legal case. Plus: the hosts discuss NBA playoff ratings and offer a retrospective on the life and career of the late ESPN voice Mike Patrick. Plus, much more.
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On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the career of Lee Corso and his upcoming retirement from ESPN's College Gameday. Plus, they recap the NBA's regular season ratings and dissect the league's decision to leave the Warriors off of ABC's schedule this weekend. Finally, they discuss last weekend's Masters TV coverage and why the event is such a high-quality television property.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady break down the viewership for the NCAA women's basketball national championship and the men's edition as well, plus dive into Major League Baseball's latest media rights strategy.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss how viewership for the NCAA women's basketball tournament has held up post-Caitlin Clark, ratings potential for the men's Final Four, flaws in MLB TV coverage and much more.
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On a special bonus edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis is joined by VideoAmp Executive Vice President of Revenue Bryan Goski for an in-depth discussion about ratings and measurement in a changing era, including the benefits -- and limits -- of "Big Data," out-of-home viewing and much more.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady dive deep into CBS's football announcer shakeup, breaking down Gary Danielson's retirement, JJ Watt's surprise promotion, and Charles Davis' future. Plus, a look at March Madness ratings on both the men's and women's side, and what to expect for Caitlin Clark's second WNBA season in the wake of the league's schedule release.
Also, Jon and Armand offer their reflections on Bob Costas' appearance on the podcast from last week.
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Famed broadcaster Bob Costas, who was the longtime face of NBC Sports and more recently has called Major League Baseball games for TBS and MLB Network, joined Jon Lewis and Armand Broady on the Sports Media Watch Podcast this week in a wide-ranging interview covering the final years of his career on TBS -- including the criticism he received for his work in last year’s postseason -- his relationship with NBC Sports and the golden years of his career.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by ESPN's Jorge Sedano for an extensive conversation about his time on ESPN's "Around the Horn," his foray into play-by-play, the state of the Lakers and the controversy surrounding NBA media coverage.
Plus, Jon and Armand discuss the weekend NBA ratings and whether the NBA can ever get viewers as interested in Denver-OKC as they are in Lakers-Celtics.
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On the latest edition of the SMW podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the end of the long-running ESPN show "Around the Horn" after 23 years on the air. The hosts analyze how the show has evolved over time, from its early days with a more confrontational tone under host Jay Mariotti, to the current more measured approach under Tony Reali.
They explore how the show's diversification of panelists may have turned off some viewers, and how ESPN's desire for more "rage bait" and heated debates may have made the show less valuable to the network.
The discussion then shifts to the sports media strategy of Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, who has been vocal about the company's approach to sports rights. The hosts are skeptical of Zaslav's claims that losing the NBA rights was a "great decision" for the company, and predict challenges ahead as WBD tries to fill programming gaps.
Finally, the podcast touches on the retirement announcement of longtime Fox NFL analyst Jimmy Johnson, and speculates on how Fox may look to replace him on their pregame show.
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On the new SMW podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady dissect the end of the MLB-ESPN partnership, examining the tone and implications of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's memo to owners. The discussion then shifts to the surprising success of the NHL's Four Nations Face-Off, which delivered viewership milestones for the league.
The hosts also touch on the latest developments surrounding the NBA, including the Lakers and Warriors' resurgence and the decision to have Richard Jefferson join the lead NBA team on ESPN. Additionally, they analyze ESPN's contract extension with reporter Laura Rutledge and the new sports offerings on the Max streaming service, including the introduction of a higher-tier subscription for live sports content.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the ratings for the NBA All-Star Game and the broader negative media coverage of the league -- including the role its own media partners play in the complaints. Plus, Daytona 500 and Four Nations Face-Off ratings, plus will Netflix actually bid for Sunday afternoon NFL rights?
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This episode of the Sports Media Watch Podcast dives into the record-breaking Super Bowl viewership numbers, analyzing the impact of methodology changes on the data. Hosts Jon Lewis and Armand Broady also break down Tom Brady's performance as a broadcaster and discuss the future of Fox's NFL coverage. Plus, insights on the NBA's Luka-LeBron pairing and the ongoing negotiations between MLB and ESPN. Don't miss this in-depth look at the latest sports media news and trends.
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In this Super Bowl preview edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, hosts Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss Tom Brady's debut on the Big Game, the expected TV ratings and more, including the Kendrick Lamar halftime show and whether Fox Sports may be in its final years covering the Super Bowl.
The hosts analyze Brady's broadcasting experience and the challenges he may face as the sole analyst for the big game. They also provide context around the evolving TV ratings landscape and Nielsen's measurement changes. Additionally, they discuss whether "Chiefs fatigue" could impact viewership for the matchup.
You can subscribe to the Sports Media Watch Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms to catch this and future episodes.
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On this week's Sports Media Watch Podcast, hosts Jon Lewis and Armand Broady break down the sharp ratings gap between the NFL conference championship games and the lack of NFC starpower.
The podcast also covers NBC's reported interest in hiring Reggie Miller as a lead NBA analyst and whether there is a shortage of established NBA analysts in the industry.
Additionally, they discuss the status of analyst Greg Olsen at Fox, and the possibility of him finding a new opportunity -- perhaps on Amazon's NFL coverage.
Subscribe to the Sports Media Watch Podcast now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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In the latest episode of the SMW podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady dive into the declining NFL playoff ratings, exploring why the league may be a victim of its own recent success. They also break down the LIV Golf Tour's new TV deal with Fox Sports and what it means for the upstart league's future. Plus, the hosts pay tribute to the legendary Bob Uecker and wish Dick Vitale well in his recovery; and discuss Mike Tirico being named the lead play-by-play voice for the new "NBA on NBC" and the potential for Amazon's NBA studio show to challenge TNT's "Inside the NBA" as the gold standard with a more youthful and cutting-edge approach.
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On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the future of sports on streaming in the wake of Venu's collapse; NFL playoff ratings and what the best matchups will be going forward; and whether the TGL golf venture can achieve long-term success.
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The Sports Media Watch podcast returns from hiatus as Jon Lewis and new co-host Armand Broady discuss the NFL's regular season ratings performance, how Tom Brady looks heading into the playoffs, Disney's Fubo deal and more.
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On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis is joined by ESPN play-by-play voice Bob Wischusen, who discusses his role as an NHL broadcaster, his career and more. But first, Jon discusses the future of MLB on RSNs and the Mets' drawing power this postseason.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis is joined by special guests Randy Scott and Gary Striewski of SportsCenter (11:35), who discuss their popular partnership, how their SportsCenter differs from the 1990s heyday and much more. But first, Jon dives into the Christine Brennan-WNBA controversy and the broader culture war over Caitlin Clark, and explains why everything is lining up for a strong MLB Postseason in the ratings.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner talk more Caitlin Clark, and how her presence lifted the WNBA to big playoff viewership directly against the NFL. Then, the crew takes a look at football viewership from the weekend, including whether the Kansas City Chiefs have a legitimate claim to the title of "America's Team," and how Fox's Friday night college football game could turn into another viewership draw for the network.
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On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner examine the WNBA season and the Caitlin Clark effect with Fever analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Debbie Antonelli and Scripps Sports (ION) president Brian Lawlor. Plus, some discussion about NFL ratings, Tom Brady and more.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner review Tom Brady's broadcasting debut, what went right, what went wrong, and where he goes from here. Then the crew reviews the opening week in NFL ratings including strong numbers for the NFL Kickoff Game and the Friday night Peacock exclusive from Brazil. Jon and Drew close the show with a discussion on the ongoing dispute between DirecTV and Disney, and Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever drawing over one million viewers directly against the NFL.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start the podcast discussing the carriage dispute between Disney and DirecTV, how it differs from the Charter dispute last year, and whether it will be solved in time for Monday Night Football. Then, the crew takes a look at the first full weekend of college football, including a discussion about Nick Saban's debut on College GameDay, and whether Saban or Bill Belichick will have the better media chops this season. Jon and Drew then discuss Tom Brady's NFL broadcasting debut, and whether he will even make it through a full season with the restrictions placed on him by the league. To close out, Jon overviews the Nancy Lieberman-Sheryl Swoopes drama currently unfolding.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss ESPN's executive restructuring and what it could mean for its live sports coverage, in particular the NBA. Then the crew does a legal roundup covering the Paramount deal, Venu's appeal, Amazon pulling its funding from Diamond Sports, the NFL Sunday Ticket case, and the NBA filing a motion to dismiss WBD's matching rights.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner talk about the preliminary injunction levied against Venu in federal court last week, whether the ruling should have been made, and what it means for the future of "bundling" sports properties. Then the crew discusses ESPN's decision to fire Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III, and why Laura Rutledge should get the "Sunday NFL Countdown" job over Mike Greenberg. Jon and Drew then put a bow on their Olympics ratings discussion to close the show.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start off by discussing Leigh Diffey's call of the Men's 100m Final and look back at some other notable announcer blunders. Then, the crew continues their discussion about NBC's Olympic viewership, and how Paris compares to past Olympics. Jon and Drew close the show with the NFL "Sunday Ticket" verdict getting overturned, and MLB announcing flexible scheduling for the World Series.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner wade through the somewhat confusing methodology that NBC is using for measuring its Olympics viewership, and how much of this year's success is real versus manufactured. Then, the crew discusses their opinions on Gold Zone and the whip-around format more broadly, asking whether it is the future of live sports consumption. Jon and Drew close out the show with a discussion about what WBD is trying to gain from its battle with the NBA over its matching rights.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into the NBA and its respective broadcast partners formally announcing their upcoming media rights agreements. The crew discusses what this means for WBD who had their "match" denied by the league, and what stood out in the announcements that we didn't already know. Then, Jon and Drew discuss the WNBA portion of the rights agreements and the success of the league through the All-Star break before closing out the show with an Olympics discussion.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the NBA finalizing its media rights deals, and what to expect from WBD's efforts to match Amazon's package of games. Then, the crew highlights the WNBA portion of the deal and whether that rights fee will look like a bargain down the line. Jon and Drew close out the show talking Copa America and Euros viewership on Fox, and Skip Bayless leaving FS1.
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On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Fox soccer coverage, the latest Caitlin Clark numbers and more.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start the show discussing more viewership records for the Clark-sparked WNBA, including the Fever-Sky game that beat its own one week old record and a Fever game that set another record for ION. Then, Jon dives into his new piece on why the NBA has been able to land such lucrative media rights deals despite so-so NBA Finals viewership. The crew closes out the show talking about Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and the new Big East media rights deals.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start the show discussing the lackluster NBA Finals viewership before shifting over to a conversation about Charles Barkley's latest retirement saga, and whether his announcement this time around is different than the past. Then, the crew wraps up with U.S. Open viewership and the Stanley Cup Finals.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at how the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals are faring from a ratings perspective through two games. Then, the crew closes out the show with a discussion on TNT's recent media rights acquisitions, whether the network is doing enough to maintain its rates with distributors, and if they'll secure a fourth package of NBA games.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner unpack the media discourse surrounding the WNBA, including recent incidents with Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee. The crew then discusses the NBA Finals before having an impromptu conversation about the league's media rights deal and what it signals for the cable industry writ large. Jon and Drew wrap up with a discussion on the Stanley Cup Finals.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the legacy of Bill Walton and his prolific broadcasting career. Afterwards, the crew closes out the show with a ratings roundup of the Indy 500, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and NBA Conference Finals.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner quickly go over weekend ratings for the NBA, PGA Championship, and Preakness before diving into our main topic: ESPN's game 7 broadcast of Knicks-Pacers. Jon details how ESPN's failures have resulted in a product that has become a disservice to NBA viewers, why the problem is systemic, and whether the network can reverse course over its next decade-plus of NBA rights. The crew closes out the show with a discussion of the coverage surrounding Scottie Scheffler's incident Friday at the PGA Championship.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner run through the many announcements surrounding the NFL's schedule release, starting with the league's decision to give NBC and FOX extra Week 16 games that will directly compete with the College Football Playoff. Then, Jon and Drew discuss what we know about the first couple weeks of the NFL schedule, how Tom Brady will fare at FOX, and NBC producing three standalone games in Week 1. The crew then gets into NBA playoff ratings and the ongoing NBA rights negotiations as WBD looks less and less likely to retain its package. Jon and Drew close out the show with some WNBA discussion as Caitlin Clark debuts with the Indiana Fever.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the latest reporting surrounding the NBA media rights negotiations and whether NBC or TNT would be a better partner for the league. Then, the crew jumps into a ratings roundup and takes a look at weekend ratings from the NBA, Kentucky Derby, and NHL. Jon and Drew close out the show with some quick hitters including NBC's U.S. Open coverage plans, MLB on Roku, Michael Irvin, The NFL Today shakeup, ABC's Monday Night Football inventory, and the upcoming WNBA season.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into all the reporting surrounding NBA rights negotiations. To start, the crew discusses whether NBC's huge bid could mean the end times for the NBA on TNT or if WBD will find a way to match NBC's deal, or split the package between them. They also discuss possible landing spots for the Inside the NBA crew should TNT miss out on NBA rights. Then, Jon and Drew go over NBA playoff ratings thus far, before returning to a discussion of the live sports rights market writ large, debating whether a huge financial windfall for the NBA bodes well for the MLB and NHL when they go back to market.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at recent reporting surrounding the NBA's media rights negotiations and discuss expectations around the dollar figure the league will ultimately receive, and what the inventory breakdown looks like for the league's media partners. Then, Jon and Drew go over viewership for the opening weekend of NBA playoffs, and how the postseason is shaping up from a ratings perspective. The crew also takes a look at the substantial year-over-year increase for the NHL's opening playoff games. To close out the show, Jon and Drew remember ESPN's Howie Schwab and talk about ESPN under Mark Shapiro. Then Jon has some final remarks on the conversation surrounding the WNBA.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner lead off the podcast discussing yet another Caitlin Clark viewership feat -- this time with a record-setting WNBA Draft. Then, the crew takes a look at how NBA regular season viewership fared and looks forward to potential playoff scenarios. Jon and Drew close out the show with a discussion on the subpar Masters viewership, and whether the property is facing decline in the future.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner lead off the show with a March Madness viewership discussion, headlined by the massive rating for South Carolina-Iowa in the women's tournament and why the WNBA can't seem to capitalize on the successes of women's college basketball. Then the crew turns its focus to the men, where UConn-Purdue finished a tick up from last year's title game. Jon and Drew close out the show with a discussion of Norby Williamson's departure from ESPN.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive deep into the record-setting viewership for Iowa-LSU. The crew covers the 12.3m viewers number in context, what this number means for the Final Four games this Friday, where expectations should be set for women's college basketball next season without Caitlin Clark, and if this was the most heavily anticipated viewership number ever. Then, Jon and Drew discuss whether or not ESPN's broadcast of the game was able to meet the moment. They also go over numbers for last weekend's men's Elite Eight and the impact of the Easter holiday on out-of-home viewing before closing out the show with a discussion on what it would take to replicate a phenomenon like Caitlin Clark.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss viewership for both the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments, including Caitlin Clark and Iowa's record-setting numbers, and how the chalky setup for both tournaments can lead to strong viewership here on out. The crew also discusses the impending Washington Post story on Kim Mulkey and a potential Iowa-LSU rematch in the Elite 8. Jon and Drew then shift to the NFL's announcement that they will play two games on Christmas Day this upcoming season, before closing out the show with a discussion on gambling in the context of the Shohei Ohtani and Jontay Porter stories.
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On today's episode Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss Selection Sunday viewership and the countless comparisons between the men's and women's tournaments in the media. The crew also talks about the new College Football Playoff rights deal and the return of the national title game to ABC.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss a potpourri of sports media topics, starting with the huge viewership that women's college basketball had last week, and whether the sport can sustain that strength post-Caitlin Clark. Then, the crew hits on a few storylines in men's college basketball including Greg Gumbel's absence from the CBS studio this year, Ian Eagle taking over the top play-by-play spot, and Bill Walton missing time due to health issues. Jon and Drew end with some quick hitters including the NBA's exclusive negotiating window opening up, reports that NBC looks likely to pick up a package, WBD turning TruTV into a sports channel, and FOX announcing a Friday night college football package.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into the impact Caitlin Clark is having on women's basketball. The crew covers the recent viewership records that Clark has helped set, whether a deep run by Iowa in the tournament could threaten to post bigger viewership numbers than the men's tournament, what Clark's viewership impact will be for the WNBA, and if she has earned a spot on the USA Olympic team. Jon and Drew close the show with a brief discussion on the legacy of Chris Mortensen.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at all things NBA, starting with whether the league suffers from its "activist" label stemming from the 2020 season. Then, the crew previews the exclusive negotiating window that starts next month between the league and its incumbent media partners ESPN and TNT. Jon and Drew close out the show talking about how NBA media coverage contributes to the negative perception of the league writ large.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start off by discussing NBA All-Star Weekend, which Sports Media Watch was on-site to cover. The crew talks about viewership, if the format can be changed for the better, and the NBA Tech Summit. Then, Jon and Drew discuss the ongoing uncertainty amidst the College Football Playoff, if ESPN would ever actually pull the agreement, and whether the ESPN-FOX-WBD joint entity could entice a bid from NBC or CBS. The show closes with a discussion on ESPN and FS1's breaking news coverage during the Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting last week.
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On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the Super Bowl ratings, Tony Romo's performance on the "Big Game," the new College Football Playoff extension with ESPN, JJ Redick's promotion to the NBA Finals broadcast team and more.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner are joined by the voice of Patrick Star, Bill Fagerbakke, to discuss his role in the upcoming Nickelodeon Super Bowl broadcast. To start the show, Jon and Drew talk about the joint sports streaming venture announced by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros Discovery. The crew also previews Sunday's Super Bowl and discusses the NFL's announcement of a Friday game from Brazil during Week One of next season.
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On the 50th episode of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner break down viewership for the Championship Weekend games, how the Swift-NFL discourse has reached its inevitable conclusion, Tony Romo's AFC Championship Game performance, and Greg Olsen's future in the top Fox booth. Then the crew closes the show with more top broadcaster drama, speculating about reports that ESPN may add JJ Redick to its NBA Finals team following Doc Rivers' return to coaching.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss viewership for the NFL divisional round, including over 50 million for Bills-Chiefs on Sunday night, and then previews the conference championship games. The crew then talks about Netflix inking a deal with WWE for the 'Raw' franchise, and if Netflix could be a serious player for other upcoming live rights properties. Jon and Drew close out the show discussing the news surrounding Sports Illustrated.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the NFL's Super Wild Card Weekend, including the viewership success of the Peacock exclusive game. The crew then talks about the possible strategic partnership between ESPN and the NFL, questioning whether it makes sense for either side. Jon and Drew close out the show discussing the odd decision for NBC to tout its Peacock viewership numbers during halftime of Rams-Lions, and then preview the divisional round.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into the controversy surrounding Pat McAfee, Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Kimmel, Norby Williamson, and Disney/ESPN. Then, the crew jumps into how NFL regular season viewership fared, the schedule for Super Wild Card Weekend, and ESPN reportedly bidding to extend its exclusive rights for the expanded College Football Playoff.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner run through the past two weeks in sports viewership starting with the College Football Playoffs and New Year's Six bowl games. Then, the crew discusses Amazon's 24% increase year-over-year for Thursday Night Football. Jon and Drew also cover how Peacock's NFL exclusive fared and what to think of the NFL-NBA competition on Christmas Day.
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On today's episode, Jon and Drew are joined by industry veterans John Kosner and Ed Desser for a big picture look at sports media. John Kosner previously served as the NBA's VP of Broadcasting during the Dream Team era and most recently served as ESPN's Executive Vice President and General Manager, Digital and Print Media before beginning his consultancy firm Kosner Media. Ed Desser served as a senior executive in the NBA's Commissioner's Office and as President of NBA Television where he negotiated numerous media rights deals for the league and has run his consultancy Desser Sports Media since 2005. The crew covers the NBA's upcoming media rights negotiations, the state of linear television and the transition to digital, fragmentation in the industry, Disney's trial balloon for divesting ABC, and possible strategic partners at ESPN.
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On today's episode, ESPN's Hannah Storm joins the show to discuss her prolific career on television including her start at CNN Sports, calling the inaugural WNBA season, hosting an NBA Finals with Jordan's Bulls, her time at The Early Show, the challenges she has faced as a woman in sports media, and more. To start the show, Jon and Drew cover the news that Amazon may be interested in a strategic partnership with Diamond Sports that would put the Bally Sports RSNs on Amazon Prime. They also cover last week's NFL ratings and look ahead to the Christmas Day triple header and how the NBA can reclaim some of the Christmas real estate it has lost to football.
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On today's episode, Jon and Drew welcome longtime Indiana Pacers play-by-play announcer Chris Denari to the show to talk about the In-Season Tournament, Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers, what it's like to become part of the fabric of a franchise, the Indiana Fever possibly getting Caitlin Clark, and living in a basketball-crazed state. Beforehand, Jon and Drew discuss the news that Al Michaels will not return to call a playoff game for NBC this year. Plus: ratings talk around the NBA In-Season Tournament, NFL Week 13, and the MLS Cup Final.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss if ratings were what kept Florida State out of the College Football Playoff. Plus: the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFL's new ratings darling; a look ahead to the rest of the NFL season; and NASCAR's new media rights deal in context.
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On today's episode, Bryan Curtis of The Ringer joins the show to discuss a potpourri of media topics, starting with the news that Sports Illustrated used fictitious, nonexistent authors to byline AI generated stories on their website. Then, Bryan weighs in on the unusual pile-on that happened in the wake of Charissa Thompson's situation last week, and why he doesn't care much for ratings and viewership discourse. Bryan and the crew close out the interview talking about the parallels between college football message boards and the current political landscape, and whether sports media will lean into politics as it did in 2020, or take a more neutral approach as the 2024 election nears. Prior to the interview, Jon and Drew get into a wonky ratings conversation regarding out-of-home viewing and the NFL's Thanksgiving Day games. To close the show, Jon and Drew take on a couple quick hitters: ESPN and TNT intermingling their NBA studio shows for the In-Season Tournament, and a seemingly annual tradition of the "Tiger Woods' return" press conference in the Bahamas.
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On today's episode, Jon and Drew are joined by play-by-play announcer Alex Faust who currently calls NHL for TNT and MSG Network and also does college football for Fox. Faust discusses his career as a broadcaster that covers a wide range of sports, the circumstances leading to his departure from the Los Angeles Kings last season, and how starting his career in corporate America has helped him navigate the sports media industry. Jon and Drew start the show with a brief discussion about the record-setting night for ESPN's Monday Night Football. Following the interview with Faust, Jon and Drew dive into a lengthy conversation about the media's reaction to Charissa Thompson.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner are joined by ESPN play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch to talk about his career in broadcasting, what it's like to work with Bill Walton, his two decades as voice of the Arizona Cardinals, and calling a Luka Doncic buzzer beater from his basement. Jon and Drew also provide the normal ratings discussion -- how the NFL fared in a week with lackluster primetime matchups, potential flex candidates, NBA in-season tournament ratings, and rumors that Netflix might buy in-season tournament rights. The crew wraps the show discussing Dick Vitale deciding to delay his return to broadcasting as he recovers from vocal cord cancer.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the situation between Diamond Sports and the NBA and how the local media rights situation will look after the 2023-24 season. Then the crew debriefs on the lackluster World Series viewership and revisits the question of if the ratings actually matter for the sport. Jon and Drew wrap up by discussing the Chiefs-Dolphins game from Frankfurt, and share some travel stories from the past week.
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On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis discusses the record-low ratings for the World Series, whether and how much ratings should matter to fans, Mike Breen's extension with ESPN and more.
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On the latest Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis discusses the state of Major League Baseball ratings and digs into the latest reporting on both NBA and MLB media rights.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss if the New York Jets are the ratings surprise of this NFL season after they've appeared in the three most watched games so far. Then, the crew talks about the strong number for Game 1 of the ALCS, gets into a longer discussion about Matt Winer's postgame interview "question" for Nick Castellanos, and dives into the role of a sideline reporter more broadly. Jon then gets into WNBA Finals ratings and what a potential Game 5 could garner before closing out with the weekend in college football.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the past week in the NFL highlighted by the Cowboys-49ers and Sunday Night Football's early season viewership success. The crew also dives into which games NBC should flex in upcoming weeks, how the NFL Network game in London fared, and Joe Buck filling in for Scott Van Pelt on Monday Night Countdown. Then, Jon and Drew discuss the Big Ten's plan to add more Friday night college football games to the schedule next season, as well as unpacking WNBA Finals viewership story lines. The crew closes out the show by reflecting on the career of legendary hockey analyst Barry Melrose.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the viewership impact of a certain celebrity on NFL games and whether or not it is getting overblown by the media. Then, the crew talks Deion Sanders and Colorado earning a huge number against USC, albeit the lowest of the season so far for the team. Jon and Drew also discuss the start of MLB playoffs, how viewership will fare in the context of fewer major market teams, and also if the new rule changes will create some excitement. Finally, they close the show with ABC adding five NBA games to its Wednesday night schedule in January, and what to watch for with the upcoming WNBA playoffs.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss Deion Sanders and Colorado's blowout loss to Oregon, what it means for the USC game this weekend, and if the Deion story has resulted in other coaches becoming more obnoxious. The crew also discusses where college football viewership stands as a whole after a week of marquee games. Then, Jon and Drew turn to the NFL and talk about if Taylor Swift actually had any impact on NFL viewership, and how ESPN's 'B' broadcasting team has performed through two weeks.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the monster ratings coming out of Boulder, Colorado with Deion Sanders' Buffaloes, whether Coach Prime's cult of personality could be replicated somewhere else, and where viewership for the Buffs will trend with a win or loss against Oregon this weekend. Then, the crew talks about ABC getting a full slate of Monday Night Football games amidst the joint strikes in Hollywood and what implications ESPN's partnership with ABC will have on a potential sale for the broadcaster. Jon and Drew wrap up by discussing WBD's announcement of a Bleacher Report branded live sports add-on to MAX, and how that fits into the broader sports media ecosystem.
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On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss a busy week in sports media beginning with how Aaron Rodgers' season-ending injury impacts the rest of the NFL schedule. Then they discuss Week 1 ratings being down overall, if Jon's prediction of a viewership increase this year might not pan out, and ESPN's success revamping Monday Night Football. After the NFL talk, Jon and Drew discuss Colorado and Deion Sanders nearly beating out Alabama-Texas in viewership last week. Then, the crew takes on some quick hitters: Coco Gauff and a U.S. Open viewership record, Jim Trotter's lawsuit against the NFL, and a resolution for the Charter and Disney dispute.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the existential threat of the Disney-Charter carriage dispute and what it could mean for the industry at large. Then, the crew talks about headlines from college football's opening weekend including Colorado and Deion Sanders, FSU/LSU viewership, and how NBC's inaugural Big Ten game fared. Jon and Drew then look forward to NFL week 1 and what to look for this season as the new media rights deals kick in.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner open the episode putting the Women's World Cup viewership in perspective, and discuss who could be interested in acquiring rights for future World Cups. Then, the crew talks a bit about the NBA schedule release and the questionable decisions surrounding the lack of Spurs games in national windows for Victor Wembanyama's rookie year. Jon and Drew close out the show talking about some studio show changes: Scott Van Pelt in his debut as host of Monday Night Countdown, and Michael Irvin joining the rotating panel of guests on FS1's Undisputed.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner lead off by discussing the latest at ESPN with Sage Steele parting ways with the network following the settlement of her lawsuit. In more ESPN news, Jon and Drew discuss the NBA studio shakeup that brings Malika Andrews to the host chair while Bob Myers slides in as an analyst. Then, the crew closes the show by touching on the NBA's schedule release for the in-season tournament and the NFL bringing NFL Network and NFL RedZone direct-to-consumer through NFL+.
On this week's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss ESPN's partnership with Penn National to form ESPN BET and why the partnership signals just how dire the financial situation is for legacy media companies. Then, the crew talks about conference realignment and the collapse of the Pac-12, how the future of college athletics will look, and if the new conferences will actually increase viewership. Plus: Warner Bros Discovery putting live sports on Max, and the intense criticism of Fox analyst Carli Lloyd.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the latest on the potential Pac-12 media rights deal with Apple, whether or not a streaming-centric deal can work for the conference, and if the conference should have perhaps taken a closer look at deals with broadcasters like The CW. Then, Jon and Drew talk about the NBA announcer shuffle at ESPN, how the new team of Doris Burke, Doc Rivers, and Mike Breen will fare, and if the recently ousted Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson have futures at another network. To close out the podcast, the crew discusses the USWNT finishing second in their group at the Women's World Cup, resulting in some less than ideal time slots for the remainder of their games.
On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start off by discussing Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon victory and what it meant for viewership. Then, they dive into possible replacements for Jeff Van Gundy at ESPN, weighing in on rumors that one or more of Doris Burke, Doc Rivers, Richard Jefferson, and J.J. Redick could take the seat while Mark Jackson is relegated to a lower team. The crew also touches on viewership for the WNBA All Star Game, what viewership will look like for the timezone-challenged FIFA Women's World Cup, and Messi's debut for Inter Miami.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss a number of ratings topics including the Home Run Derby, how the MLB All Star Game will fare, Victor Wembanyama's impact on NBA Summer League viewership and his potential to be a ratings draw in San Antonio, the U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach, and Wimbledon. They close the show by discussing the New York Times' recent move to abandon its sports desk in favor of The Athletic, and how that fits into the larger sports media and entertainment landscape.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the ESPN layoffs including the decision to let go of lead NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy. The crew talks about who could possibly replace Van Gundy in the top booth, and what the future of NBA coverage looks like for the network. They also discuss layoffs that hit ESPN's NFL coverage, including Suzy Kolber, Steve Young, and Todd McShay. Then, they touch on the long and winding career of Max Kellerman and College Gameday's David Pollack.
Later in the show, Jon and Drew are joined by NASCAR writer Bob Pockrass to discuss the Chicago street race last weekend, and what the series is doing to grow its audience. The show wraps up with the final part of the discussion with NBC's Ahmed Fareed about the future of horse racing and the Triple Crown.
On today's episode, NBC's Ahmed Fareed joins the show to discuss his career including hosting Peacock's MLB Sunday Leadoff, his experience anchoring Olympic coverage, advice he received from Mike Tirico, and his journey from local news to national sports anchor. Stay tuned later this week for a conversation with Ahmed about the Triple Crown and the current state of horse racing. Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner open the show discussing the week's ratings including the Men's College World Series and the NBA Draft. They also touch on ShowBuzz Daily deciding to cease operations, and what that means for online ratings discussion.
On today's episode, Matt Winer of NBA TV joins the podcast to discuss his career in sports media including what it's like to work with Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal during the NBA Finals, how he handled covering the death of Kobe Bryant live on the air, and how he called his first baseball game on just three hours notice. Then, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner talk a bit about NBC's coverage of the U.S. Open.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner wrap up the discussion on NBA ratings, taking a look at how the Nuggets win over the Heat stacked up relative to expectations and how NBA playoff viewership fared overall. Then, Jon touches on Mike Breen calling his 100th NBA Finals game. Next, the crew discusses the low Stanley Cup Finals and asks whether hockey should be considered as the fourth "major" sport in North America given the ratings. Jon and Drew finish with quick hitters: Belmont Stakes, French Open, Champions League, Canadian Open, and College Softball.
On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner kick off the podcast with the bombshell news that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will merge into one entity, a topic they will return to later in the pod. Viewership news begins with how NBA Finals ratings have been steady year-over-year, despite Heat-Nuggets being a much less attractive matchup on paper than Warriors-Celtics. The crew discusses whether NBA ratings have become inelastic and will always fall within a narrow band, and if the NBA is happy about the stability or would rather see more potential for a ratings "boom." Then Jon and Drew talk about relatively poor Stanley Cup Finals viewership so far, and if the NHL regrets putting their most valuable inventory on cable.
The continuation of the PGA/LIV merger discussion gets at how this will impact professional golf from a media standpoint: how the PGA Tour media partners will react to being kept in the dark, what this means for LIV and The CW, and if ratings will even matter for the PGA Tour's bottom line after significant Saudi investment.
Jon and Drew conclude the podcast talking a bit about Rose Zhang and if she can move the needle for the LPGA, how College Softball can become an even bigger property for ESPN/ABC, and Jon's views on the show "Succession."
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into NBA viewership in the lead up to a Heat-Nuggets final, including how the Celtics' comeback to force Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals will almost guarantee the NBA an overall playoff viewership increase year-over-year. The crew also touches on some comments Jeff Van Gundy made regarding media coverage of the Nuggets and NBA franchises with smaller brands, and how earlier tip off times could impact finals viewership. Other topics include Stanley Cup Finals viewership, a big picture view of NHL playoff viewership, why Turner always seems to nail their studio shows, and how Indy 500 ratings looked.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the abrupt end to the dream NBA ratings scenario and talk about how the likely Nuggets-Heat final will measure up historically. Jon puts into context how a strong first two rounds will allow the NBA to meet or exceed viewership year over year, despite two abbreviated Conference Finals. The crew also discusses the NBA's issues when it comes to marketing stars that aren't LeBron James or Steph Curry, and if the NBA is in trouble once they retire. Other topics include: the Big Ten deals hitting some bumps in the road and how that looks for the conference and former commissioner Kevin Warren, the PGA Championship hits a 15-year low, how the WNBA fared in Brittney Griner's return, and poor Preakness viewership.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the implications of Peacock's exclusive NFL Wild Card game: why it happened, if this is the new normal for the NFL, the $110m price tag, who NBC's broadcast teams will be, and more. Next, Jon and Drew talk about Pat McAfee's new deal with ESPN, whether it will be beneficial for either side, and if this signals Norby Williamson's waning influence on ESPN programming. Also discussed: NBA ratings, how viewership will look for the Conference Finals, and why a lack of broadcast presence leaves viewership on the table. NHL ratings through the second round, and what to expect for the rest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. XFL Championship ratings. WNBA season tips off and Brittney Griner returns. And will Doc Rivers return to broadcasting?
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the monster ratings for the NBA's second round matchups, particularly the Warriors-Lakers series, and how even if that marquee series ends early, the NBA is still in great shape from a viewership perspective. They also discuss whether off-the-court stories like the drama surrounding Mat Ishbia and Nikola Jokic can move the needle. Then, the crew reviews Kentucky Derby ratings, if the decline from last year means anything, and why the proliferation of gambling hasn't resulted in viewership growth for the sport. Other topics include: Formula 1 and the Miami Grand Prix, USFL getting a big rating from the Derby lead-in and the Glen Kuiper situation.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss a wide range of ratings stories in sports media starting with the NBA's strong round one numbers. Warriors/Kings Game 7 set a 24-year high and capped off a successful round one overall. The NBA gets the high profile matchups they want for the second round, headlined by Warriors/Lakers. The NHL playoffs also got off to a hot start in round one, but may cool down with large market teams knocked out. Also, NFL Draft ratings were strong, and the league wants you to know it. The crew previews the Kentucky Derby and the rest of the Triple Crown from a viewership perspective. Finally, Jon and Drew touch on spring football, Formula 1, and NASCAR ratings.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss a busy week in sports media starting with another positive ratings week for the NBA. Kings/Warriors set a viewership mark that has not been matched since 2002, the conference semifinals are lining up to be solid viewership draws, and the Knicks continue to underwhelm in the ratings. The crew also takes a look at the first week of NHL playoff numbers, and discusses why the league's deal with Turner gives them a higher floor but lower ceiling. They then get into a little spring football talk with XFL and USFL ratings. Finally, Jon and Drew take on some industry news including the first round of layoffs at ESPN (with Jon providing some anecdotes about long time ESPN PR head Mike Soltys), the WNBA's new TV deal with Scripps Sports, and the most important cable news story of the week -- Charles Barkley's new CNN show.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into the weekend's ratings starting with great viewership numbers for the NBA. The crew covers how these opening weekend numbers stack up historically, what potential matchups would be ratings boons for the league, and why TNT kept airing that disgusting advertisement. Then Jon and Drew discuss the XFL/USFL competition and how the USFL decided to spin their opening weekend ratings, along with some quick discussions on good viewership weeks for the PGA Tour and NASCAR.
On today's episode, we are joined by Danny Corrales formerly of ESPN's "The Jump" and now Head of Video Podcast Production for The Ringer. Danny discusses podcasting as a medium and the blurring of lines between podcasting and linear television when adding a video component. Then, Danny provides some insightful commentary about the culture at ESPN when he was there, the divide between LA and Bristol, and Norby and Skipper. He also discusses his view on how the media covered the Rachel Nichols and Maria Taylor drama, and how that played out behind the scenes at ESPN. Finally, Danny touches on his time at FuboTV, and why working at The Ringer is great.
Also in this episode, Dr. Jon Lewis give his usual ratings roundup with a focus on the Masters.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner break down the record-setting weekend for women's college basketball, what this means for women's basketball more broadly, the media circus surrounding Angel Reese, and which networks would be possible suitors for women's NCAA Tournament rights. The crew also discusses men's Final Four ratings and what to expect from the men's Championship number. Then, Jon and Drew talk about what to expect from The Masters this weekend, and which storylines could draw the biggest audience. Finally, Jon runs through the rest of the weekend in sports ratings including MLB opening day, NHL on ABC, XFL on ESPN, NASCAR on FS1, and even some Pickleball!
On today's episode of the SMW Podcast, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the latest NCAA and XFL ratings news, plus (alongside contributor Adam Gostomelsky) host Apple TV lead MLS analyst Taylor Twellman joins the show for an impassioned and wide ranging interview.
Twellman discusses what the MLS deal with Apple TV means for the state of the league, how MLS can grow its audience despite a limited linear reach, dispels some misconceptions about the new deal, and gets into how coverage of the league has changed in its first few weeks on Apple. Then Twellman discusses soccer more broadly, and why the notion of the "big 4" leagues in American sports does not give soccer its due. Twellman also dives into topics surrounding the National Team, the state of the USSF, and the importance of the 2026 World Cup for soccer in the United States. Finally, Twellman gets into how he feels about social media, and talks about some scary instances he's had with social media in the past.
On today's episode of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner recap the past weekend of March Madness on both the men's and women's side. Then, the crew hits on the excitement around this year's World Baseball Classic and how that could become a tentpole event for baseball in the future. Lastly, Jon takes on some quick hitters including the upcoming ESPN layoffs, NBA media rights, and our favorite topic -- XFL ratings.
On today's episode of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, special guest Bill Pidto of MSG Network joins the show to discuss the state of the New York Knicks, what it's like working in the New York City market compared to a national market, and the Golden Age of Sportscenter in the 1990s. Pidto also talks about the launch of ESPN2 and ESPNews, and how those channels changed the landscape for talent at ESPN. Then, Pidto closes out the show matching famous Sportscenter catchphrases to the anchor that coined them, and gives the origin story for his own catchphrase.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis is joined by Drew Lerner to discuss the upcoming NCAA Tournaments, including Stan Van Gundy making his collegiate debut replacing Reggie Miller, the last hurrah for Jim Nantz, and the women's championship game airing on ABC for the first time. Then, the crew gets into NBA and motorsports ratings, the rumors that Adam Silver could be tapped as Bob Iger's successor, and acknowledges the passing of Tampa Bay Rays broadcaster Dave Wills.
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis is joined by Drew Lerner to discuss the week's sports media news including how LeBron's injury impacts the end of the NBA regular season, whether or not the league has an injury problem, and Charles Barkley's comments on load management. Then they get into how the XFL's ratings fared in week 2, LIV Golf's opening weekend on The CW, and some more wonky ratings discussion on Nielsen's undercount of Super Bowl viewership.
On today's episode of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into a surprisingly jam-packed weekend in sports. Topics include what the NBA should do with the All Star Game to make it watchable, how the XFL fared in its third iteration debut and what success would look like for the league, rumblings that Daytona ratings are down and what the current landscape is for motorsports on TV, the impending Diamond Sports bankruptcy and what it means for the future of RSNs, and the PGA gets its Tiger bump at Riviera but LIV is set for its moment in the spotlight (or at least weekend afternoons on the CW).
On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis is joined by Bill Shea of The Athletic to dive into Super Bowl ratings, Terry Bradshaw's not-so-friendly words for Andy Reid during the Lombardi Trophy ceremony, and Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen's performance. Then, Jon takes on some quick hits about NBC kicking the tires on NBA rights, Derek Jeter to FOX, the Michael Irvin fiasco, LSU/South Carolina's ratings record, LIV Golf on the CW, and the New York Times' handling of the shooting at Michigan State.
Bill Shea on measuring Super Bowl ratings:
"It's kind of like sports gambling ... as we know Nielsen is highly educated guesswork based on extrapolations from their panels. At the end of the day we actually have no idea how many people watched the Super Bowl but we know it was a lot."
Bill Shea on Terry Bradshaw:
"I think he's probably earned the right to decide when he walks away. If gaffes and things keep mounting, maybe there's a nudge out the door."
A new iteration of the Sports Media Watch Podcast premieres with Dr. Jon Lewis and host Drew Lerner discussing ratings for the upcoming Super Bowl. Topics discussed include Jon's Super Bowl ratings predictions, a dive into ratings data in the out-of-home era and the inexact science behind Nielsen's measurements, whether Super Bowl ratings deterioration is something for the NFL and networks to worry about, and why Nielsen has chosen to conduct their fast nationals a bit differently this year. Then, Jon takes on some quick hitters and discusses ratings for LeBron's record breaking night, Charles Barkley to CNN rumors, and the drama between FOX and the Biden administration regarding the "traditional" presidential Super Bowl interview.
From the archives: Wall Street Journal reporter Rachel Bachman talks the rise of women's volleyball and more (from 2022).
From the archives: media consultant Patrick Crakes in an in-depth discussion about sports TV ratings and more on the SMW Podcast earlier this year (2022).
From the archives: listen to NFL analyst Tiki Barber on the Sports Media Watch Podcast last year (2022).
From the archives: listen to Big Ten Network's Mike Hall on the Sports Media Watch Podcast last year (2022).
From the archives: listen to CBS Sports NFL analyst Charles Davis on the Sports Media Watch podcast last year (2022).
From the archives, listen to YES Network and ESPN broadcaster Ryan Ruocco on the SMW Podcast last year (2022).
From the archives: NFL Network RedZone host Scott Hanson on the Sports Media Watch podcast in 2022.
From the archives, broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak's 2022 appearance on the Sports Media Watch Podcast.
From the archives: WCIA (Champaign-Urbana) sports director Bret Behrens on the Sports Media Watch Podcast last year.
From the archives: Boston Celtics play-by-play voice Sean Grande on the Sports Media Watch podcast last year.